Six Healthy Lifestyle Choices Slow Memory Decline, Huge New 10 Year Study Confirms

A significant new study of more than 29,000 older adults conducted over a 10 year period has confirmed that six healthy lifestyle habits slow memory decline.

The six healthy lifestyle habits measured include:

1. Eating a healthy diet (adherence to the recommended intake of at least 7 of 12 eligible food items),
2. Regular physical exercise (≥150 min of moderate intensity or ≥75 min of vigorous intensity, per week),
3. Active social contact (≥twice per week),
4. Active cognitive activity (≥twice per week),
5. Never smoking, and
6. Never drinking alcohol.

The study, published in the BJM on Wednesday, January 25, 2023, found that those who practiced four to six healthy lifestyle factors (the Favorable Group) experienced significantly slower memory decline over the ten year period than those who practiced none or only one of the six healthy lifestyle factors (the Unfavorable Group).

And, even those who practiced two to three of the healthy lifestyle factors (the Average Group) had slower memory decline over the ten year period than the Unfavorable Group.

Researchers have known for a long time that factors such as social isolation, obesity, and an unhealthy diet are associated with increased risk of dementia. But, the size and scope of this new study adds substantial evidence to the existing body of research finding that a healthy lifestyle can help stave off Alzheimer’s and other forms of dementia, and promote healthy aging.

The new study also found that even those who carry the APOEε4 gene and are therefore genetically more susceptible to Alzheimer’s disease, benefited from a healthy lifestyle. They too experienced slower memory decline over 10 years than those who did not practice the healthy lifestyle habits.

These findings in such a large and prolonged study are very significant, and give hope and encouragement that memory loss can be staved off, simply by living a healthy lifestyle.